Chapter 17 – The Birth of Two Shadows (1511)

Four years of sweat and blood had carved significant changes in both Bastien and Arthur.

Bastien was now 15 years old. His body was toned, his muscles well-trained, and his eyes sharp. His thinking speed was now on par with the swift moves he made with firearms and various tools he crafted himself. Not only that, his combat abilities combined natural instinct with the sharp logic he had learned from firsthand experience. Every time he stepped onto the battlefield, Bastien could sense the shift in the wind or the movement patterns of his opponents, allowing him to anticipate attacks before they happened.

Arthur, on the other hand, had become tougher and more aggressive. At 15, he possessed greater physical strength and was skilled in close combat and brutal tactics. Although he didn't always plan his moves as meticulously as Bastien, Arthur had impressive reflexes and an innate sense of fighting that kept him always one step ahead of his enemies. His bravery and instincts in battle made him an invaluable ally. Now, he was not just Bastien's friend, but a reliable partner.

That night, they sat on the roof of Lazhar's weapons shop, watching over the quiet city of Mad Hat. The cold night air was sharp, but neither of them was bothered by it. Bastien stared at the stars hidden behind dark clouds, while Arthur sat casually, his gaze fixed on the sky with quiet calmness.

"What do we do next?" Arthur asked, his tone calm but carrying the weight of their conversation.

Bastien turned to look at him, a thin smile on his lips. "We start making a name for ourselves, Arthur. This world is too small for people like us. I want to be more than just a forgotten name."

Arthur's eyes flickered for a moment, his mind chewing over Bastien's words. "You've always been the thinker, haven't you?" he said, leaning back and crossing his arms. "Always trying to see beyond the horizon. I get it. But you know, I'm not just tagging along for the ride."

Bastien raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Arthur let out a low chuckle. "I've been following you all these years, yeah. But there's a reason for it. I'm not just here because you're the smartest guy in the room or because you've got all the plans. I'm here because I want something more than just being a sidekick. Something more than just a pawn."

Bastien nodded slowly, his expression softening as he absorbed Arthur's words. "You want to make your own mark, huh? Not just ride on my coattails."

Arthur's grin widened, a spark of something dangerous and determined in his eyes. "Exactly. I want more than just scraps from the table. I've seen how you've been able to manipulate the pieces on the board, and I want in. I'm not just a follower. I'm a partner in this."

Bastien studied him for a moment, then sighed, leaning forward with a gleam in his eyes. "Alright. If that's what you want, then it's yours. But it won't be easy. We're not just going to walk into this and start taking what we want. We'll have to build from the ground up, gather people, gain power. And once we start, there's no turning back."

Arthur's eyes glinted, excitement building as he spoke. "I know. That's the part I'm looking forward to. No more hiding, no more waiting. It's time to take control."

They sat in silence for a moment, both contemplating what lay ahead. The city below them felt distant, a mere backdrop to the plans they were making for their future. The moon hung high in the sky, casting its pale light over the scene, and the cold wind whispered through the empty streets.

Bastien finally broke the silence, his voice quiet but resolute. "I've thought about this for a long time. Mad Hat... this city is nothing but a cage. We've outgrown it. It's time for something bigger."

Arthur nodded, his expression serious now. "You're right. This city is full of garbage people with no future, no purpose. But that's exactly why we need to leave it behind. There's a whole world out there for the taking."

Bastien's lips curled into a smile, a hint of ambition flickering in his eyes. "Exactly. And when we make our move, it'll be loud. Everyone will know our names. But we can't do it alone. We'll need others strong, loyal people who'll follow us no matter what."

Arthur looked at him, eyes narrowed. "You think we can trust anyone? Loyalty's a hard thing to come by in a place like this."

Bastien's smile faltered for a moment, but his resolve remained. "We'll find them. The right people. We've already started. But we have to be careful. Trust is earned, not given."

They both fell silent again, lost in their thoughts. Above them, the stars still hid behind the clouds, but there was a sense of something shifting in the air something bigger than themselves, something waiting to be grasped.

Outside, the world waited. And so did Elyndra, in the shadows, ready to strike when the time was right.

POV Elyndra (1511)

In the basement of the Northern Auction House, Elyndra sat in a dark corner, her gaze empty. Her once bright face now looked pale and fatigued. Her hair was tangled, and her body appeared thinner, but her eyes still burned with the same hatred that never seemed to fade. Though her body was weak, her spirit remained alive with the fiery desire for revenge that could not be extinguished.

"Why do I have to be like this?" she muttered quietly, staring at the tips of her dirty fingers. "Why do I have to be trapped in this world, a world that despises and exploits people like me?"

But in her heart, one thing continued to fuel her spirit: Revenge. Revenge that had given birth to a resolve stronger than anything else.

Elyndra never forgot that fateful night. Her family had been slaughtered by pirates who showed no mercy, and she had been cast into a world far crueler. A world filled with human trafficking, extortion, and unending brutality. In this world, she felt treated worse than a mere commodity.

"There must be a way," she whispered, pressing her head against the wall. "I'll get out. And when I do, I'll make them pay. All of them who toyed with my life."

Elyndra thought of Bastien and Arthur, even though they had no idea she existed. They were part of the world that had destroyed everything for her. Both of them, unknowingly, were part of the poison that had tainted her life. Yet, in that moment, Elyndra felt one step closer to her goal. Each day she spent in the Auction House was a step toward freedom and the long-awaited revenge.

"One day," she murmured, her voice full of determination, "I will destroy your world. I will be the shadow that haunts you relentlessly."

Elyndra promised herself that nothing would stop her now. No prison, no barrier. This world would know her name, and when it did, she would build her own strength strength enough to crush Bastien and Arthur. Mad Hat was no place for someone like her.